Welcome to Downtown Phoenix, home to an active community of people with numerous interests and one intention: To create a better downtown. Whether it’s lending a helping hand, a group bike ride, business meet-up or neighborhood meeting — there are myriad ways to become an active member of the community.
Access to the arts is the one most fundamentals of a fully-rounded education. To make arts and culture
events available to Arizonan children, they fund field trips and cultural passes for additional access.
The Arizona Latino Arts aria Cultural Center illuminates, celebrates and promotes Latinos in Arizona
through education, advocacy and collaboration.
Beginning as a modest troupe in Tucson in 1971, their output in fifty years output has grown to more
than 200 staged operas, which aims to highlight the raw power of storytelling when set to music.
Artlink is a nonprofit organization dedicated to linking artists to local businesses and the public, in order
to better understand, appreciate, and support a thriving arts community. Monthly events supported by
Artlink include First and Third Friday art walks, in addition to a big yearly event, Art Detour.
From community engagement opportunities, such as wor kshops and classes, for local children and adults
alike, as well as volunteering, Ballet Arizona provides a unique service to the community.
As one of the oldest professional African American theatre companies in the nation – open since since
1970 – the Black Theatre Troupe has elevated artists through various employment and volunteer opportunities.
This all-volunteer organization provides historical, educational and fundraising support for the nearlycentury old Orpheum Theatre, one of downtown’s most celebrated historic landmarks.
Founded by philanthropists Kax and Bob Herberger, the 30-year-old Herberger Theater has several
companies under its walls, all with the cumulative effect to bring an appreciation of the performing arts to downtown.
Bringing the tight syncopated world of jazz to Roosevelt Row, the club allows itself to double as an
education center for the musical development for future jazz virtuosos in between sets.
A repository for diverse, world-class art, from Samurai ephemera, infinity rooms by Yayoi Kusama, the
naturalistic portraiture work of Kenhinde Wiley, the Phoenix Art Museum transports patrons far and beyond.
A collection of Arizona-based singers, this professional chorus has built a sterling reputation in 30 years,
including winning a Grammy, with more than 7,500 annual live performances.
Under the supervision of conductor Tito Munoz, the Phoenix Symphony showcases the range of their full
symphony, from orchestrations of Beethoven, interpretations of Beatles tracks and classics by George Gershwin.
Artlink Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to linking artists, business and the public to
better understand, appreciate and support a thriving arts community. Monthly events supported by
Artlink include First and Third Friday art walks, in addition to a big yearly event, Art Detour.
Phoenix Center for the Arts provides opportunities to participate in the visual and performing arts
through quality classes, programming and events. Classes are available for youth, adults and
families.
By providing instruments and lessons, Rosie’s House provides the key to ensuring equitable access to music for local youth.
For the last three decades, the Valley Youth Theatre has taught confidence and civics to new generations
of young performers, creating a reputation of excellence with its alumni.
Beginning more than a century ago, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has shaped Phoenix as it continued to expand and develop. Representing the largest collection of businesses in Arizona, it helps local businesses grow
PCA is the premiere business membership organization for downtown leaders, fulfilling the mission to
activate, advocate and build a better community.
A promotion of the idea of the City in Phoenix, their organization is a thorough cataloguing of everything
we have to offer (both as a place to visit, live and work) to the rest of the world.
Local First Arizona is a statewide nonprofit organization working to strengthen communities and
local economies through growing, supporting and celebrating locally-owned businesses throughout the
state.
Saturday Moring Service organizes community bike rides, including “Critical Mass Arizona,” which meets
monthly in downtown. It is a celebratory group ride, raising awareness about sharing the road.
Phoenix Spokes People is a group of urban bicyclists dedicated to making Phoenix a friendlier, more
welcoming place to ride.
Reinvent PHX is a collaborative partnership between the City of Phoenix, the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development and numerous other organizations committed to developing walkable,
opportunity-rich communities connected to METRO light rail.
The Urban Phoenix Project promotes urbanism through education, local action, and participation in
municipal zoning, transportation and policy decisions. The goal is to create a healthier, more sustainable,
more equitable, and more fiscally-resilient city.
An advocacy and watchdog group striving to make central Phoenix a destination for people who want a
car-free lifestyle.
A passionate group of residents, business and property owners meeting monthly to discuss downtown
planning efforts and its effect on surrounding neighborhoods, the community and overall quality of
life.
Through various initiatives and endowments, the Million Dollar Teacher addresses the gap of funding
and support for public school teachers with a grassroots approach of support them.
Roosevelt Row is a nonprofit community development corporation established to further the unique
cultural character and creative assets of the Roosevelt Row Arts District, in addition to fostering
a dense, diverse and walkable urban community.
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Focusing on the revitalization of Central City South, a community located immediately south of the
Downtown Core, PRC is a nonprofit dedicated to facilitating community improvement projects, as well
as the maintenance and creation of low-income and workforce housing.
This Could Be PHX helps raise awareness about urban living and sustainability in Downtown Phoenix
through monthly envisioning projects, educational blogs and inspirational showcases.
Since 1979, the Arizona Preservation Foundation has worked with local, state and national partners
to promote and protect Arizona’s historic resources.
The square dates back to the late 1800s, with the restored Rosson House Museum as its crowning
jewel. The Heritage Square Foundation and Guild promotes preservation of the city’s architectural
heritage, education and cultural events.
By seeking to preserve historic buildings, places and neighborhoods, the Phoenix Historic
Neighborhoods Coalition aims to build a stronger, thriving and unique metropolis.
Preserve Phoenix is a volunteer-led, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Phoenix’s
historic places citywide through education and advocacy.
The newer among Downtown’s neighborhoods, community pride is just as exuberant, in the form of
many businesses inside adaptively-reused homes, community gardens and many local events.
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EPNA provides a forum for ideas, information about historic preservation and aims to enhance the
quality and livability of the neighborhood.
Located on 80 acres of lush irrigated landscaping, this neighborhood association brings annual home
tours to its community to celebrate its spot as an example of the “City Beautiful” movement.
A nonprofit formed to raise awareness, promote, improve and protect the neighborhood. Open monthly
meetings cover a wide range of informative topics including urban revitalization, blight reduction
and crime prevention.
A neighborhood consisting of more than 600 homes, the district reflects the emergence of new forms of
transportation, such as the automobile and streetcars, with detached garages integrated into the designs.
Located adjacent to Roosevelt Row, the Garfield Historic District carries over that tradition of small
business owners, arts and culture, and an artistic community in the neighborhood.
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The purpose of GAMA is to preserve the unique historic character of lower Grand Avenue, eliminate
blight, support revitalization and encourage sustainable social and economic practices.
Representing a large swatch of the homeowners between uptown and downtown, the association helps
ensure its vibrancy through constant engagement with its local businesses and spots of cultural interest
through an regular event calendar.
A residential group formed to preserve, protect and promote the urban lifestyle. The area encompasses
all resident housing south of Fillmore Street north of Lincoln Street, stretching from Seventh Street to Seventh Avenue.
A collection of small businesses south of Downtown in Phoenix’s Warehouse District, united by thriving,
bespoke services, they represent a community that has slowly put the city on the map. To quote their
own stakeholders, they are downtown’s “past and future,” creating an area on the creative upswing.
Located in the core of Central Phoenix, the Willo Historic Neighborhood sits at the seat of countless points of dining, culture. The residents, like many downtown, hold an annual home tour, with the Tudor,
Bungalow, Spanish Colonial and Ranch homes taking visitors back in time.
A residential group formed to preserve, protect and promote the urban lifestyle. The area
encompasses all resident housing south of Fillmore Street north of Lincoln Street, stretching from
Seventh Street to Seventh Avenue.
A living transplant of Japanese culture, this strolling garden is the result of a joint project between
Phoenix and its sister city, Himeji, Japan, meant to provide a meditative place in the heart of downtown.
Dedicated to activating and uniting the community by promoting the creative use of public space and
a vibrant arts and cultural experience.
Growhouse is a community-based public art experiment on a quarter-acre property in Downtown Phoenix,
dedicated to the local food and handmade movement.
Once known as Valley Permaculture Alliance, Tree Matters is an environmental non-profit that advocates
for the health benefits of trees by planting more shade and canopies.
Individuals, neighborhood groups and corporate organizations are encouraged to join the city in keeping it blight free.
Inspiring communities with a bucket and a trash pickup kit, Keep Phoenix Beautiful brings out safe and
vibrant neighborhoods through social responsibility and volunteerism.
Advocating for startup tech companies throughout the state, the Arizona Technology Council uses
connectivity with its members, as well as empowerment through lobbying (and other means) to
incubate local partners.
Startup Week is a free, five-day celebration rooted in the community that builds momentum and
opportunity around entrepreneurship.
Feature-length documentaries, narratives and experimental shorts are the main focus of the series,
which is featured at venues across downtown and the Valley.
This social-centric incubator invests in and accelerates the next generation of non-profits and
entrepreneurs who will address the world’s issues.
A place to exchange knowledge and connect through dialogues with entrepreneurs and innovators,
every event is structured around a specific theme, making it more than the typical networking or happy
hour experience.
As the largest and longest-serving homeless emergency shelter provider in Arizona, CASS serves to fill in
the service gaps, from anything from providing housing, up to aiding someone getting a job for that fresh
start.
Creating stability through shelter for individuals and families, Habitat for Humanity uses a volunteer base
of help to erect housing to ensure people have a place to call their own.
Operating as the only center exclusively focusing homelessness among senior citizens, Justa Center
prioritizes permanent housing to lift themselves out of poverty.
The non-profit Circle the City aims to provide compassionate care and quality health care to individuals
and families experiencing homelessness.
Providing underserved communities with basic transporation needs to expedite lifting themselves out of
poverty, Elaine provides a necessary service on the slow path to a better life.
Nourish Phoenix fights poverty through donations of food and clothing, as well as education and
employment assistance for those experiencing economic insecurity, attempting to address the root
causes of poverty.
A collaboration of 16 organizations that provide a variety of diversionary and other services, including
housing, to people experiencing homelessness.
Surrendering pets to shelters because of a sudden life changes can be a traumatic event, for the owner
and especially the pet themselves. The Arizona Pet Project keeps pets with their owners through proper
services and resources.
Ryan House brings compassionate service and care to children and the immediate family, including
caregivers, experiencing traumatic end-of-life experiences
The non-profit provides for access for Queer and LGBTQIA individuals to receive affordable primary care
and other wellness services, in conjunction with partners.
With a succinct philosophy of “Housing First,” UMOM provides individuals or families with emergency
shelter for those with unexpected crises, including (but not excluding) domestic violence, substance
abuse and sudden unemployment.